Walking iron for plaster cast



Dec. 27, 1960 A. L. PURCELL 2,966,154

WALKING IRON FOR PLASTER CAST Filed March 26 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

F E ARTHUR L. PURCE'LL ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1960 A. L. PURCELL WALKING IRONFOR PLASTER CAST 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1956 ATTORNEY Dec. 27,1960 A. L. PURCELL 2,966,154

WALKING IRON FOR PLASTER CAST Filed March 26, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

66 67 ARTHUR L. PURCE LL F1 5 BY fi A 77' ORNE Y United States PatentWALKING TRON FOR PLASTER CAST Arthur L. Purcell, 15028 E. Root St,Baldwin Park, Calif.

Filed Mar. 26, 1956, Ser. No. 573,976

26 Claims. (Cl. 128-835) My invention relates to improved therapeuticdevices and more particularly to walking irons, a device which isapplied to a cast on a fractured foot or leg to permit substantial useof the injured member during the healing period.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSerial No. 433,410, filed June 1, 1954 and now abandoned.

It is the general practice to treat fractures of the tibia, fibula, orboth, as well as fractured metatarsal bones and related leg injuries byplacing the injured member in a rigid cast. The cast is formed bywrapping a strip or strips of gauze impregnated with plaster of Paris,in which the plaster of Paris has been soaked in water, over a surgicalstocking and/ or rolled cotton worn by the patient. The cast is built upin this manner until it has the required size and strength to supportthe injured limb. After the cast has hardened it permits the patient touse the injured limb to a degree.

Such casts, however, are relatively fragile and do not lend themselvesto repeated impact with the ground, such as would normally occur if thepatient would attempt to walk directly on the cast. This difliculty hasbeen heretofore overcome by incorporating in the cast, as in integralpart thereof, a so-called walking iron or foot iron. This deviceordinarily comprises a substantially U-shaped member; the sides orupright portions of the U being strapped securely to the cast withplaster of Paris tape and positioned so that the bight of the walkingiron extends beyond the sole of the cast the required distance toprevent the cast from contacting the ground when the patient is walking.The wet wrappings that tape the walking iron to the cast must first bepermitted to dry thoroughly before the cast can be used. After the tapehas hardened, the position of the walking iron cannot be changed withoutsplitting the cast and retaping the walking iron in a new position.Since the location of the ground contacting portion of the walking iron,with respect to the sole of the cast is very important, because it isessential that the bight be placed at the correct fulcrum point wherethe Weight on the patients foot is properly balanced to avoiddiscomfort, pain and possible injury, it is sometimes necessary to splitthe cast and relocate the walking iron several times before it iscorrectly positioned. There is no way for either the physician orpatient to correctly determine the position of the ground contactingportion without actually walking on the iron after the cast has hardenedsufficiently to support the weight of the patient; by this time it istoo late to change the position of the iron with respect to the cast.

A purpose of this invention is to avoid the above difficulties byproviding an improved form of walking iron that can be easily applied toa cast in the usual manner, and after the cast has hardened can beadjusted to the correct position whenever necessary, without interferingwith the cast or hardened bindings that secure the walking iron to thecast, in any manner.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide an improved walking ironthat can be easily applied to a cast and will support the sole of thecast off the ground at all times regardless of the positions normallyassumed by the patients foot during the process of walking.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide an improved walking ironof simple construction that can be positively and easily secured to thecast by interlocking it to the cast with the same material normally usedin forming the remainder of the cast.

A related purpose of my invention is to provide a walking iron capableof angularly adjusting the position of the ground contacting member withrespect to the sole of the cast and thus permit the patients foot toassume a normal, walking position at all times.

I accomplish the above purposes by providing a substantiallyhorizontally disposed member having cast engaging sole plates secured ator near the ends thereof. The horizontally disposed member is secured toa platform member which is provided with a ground engaging portion orelement capable of placing the platform and horizontally disposed memberthe required distance above the ground thus preventing the cast and endsof the horizontally disposed member from contacting the ground when thepatient is walking.

The objectives and purposes of my invention will be more clearlyunderstood with reference to the following detailed description andaccompanying illustrative drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of one form of the walking iron accordingto this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows another construction of the walking iron indicating themanner in which a foot cast is mounted thereon.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross section view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a cross section view taken on the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a side plan view of an alternative construction of thedevice shown partly in cross section.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of the device of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings which are exemplary of preferred embodimentsof my novel Walking iron, there is included a substantially horizontallyextending, cast engaging portion 10, mounted on a platform 11 that is socured or afiixed to a ground engaging portion 12.

The cast engaging portion 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a substantiallyhorizontally disposed member 15 that may be of any desired length, crosssection or construction. The horizontally disposed member shown in thedrawings in preferably, as indicated, a rod of circular cross section,however, this member may have any other suitable cross section; it maybe a splined rod, a rectangular or polygonal bar, or, if desirable: itmay compn'se more than one rod, or may be a structural member such as anI-beam, channel, or other structural form.

At both end portions of the substantially horizontally disposed memberthere is mounted, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, sole plate supports16. These supports are provided with a longitudinal bore 17 extendingthe entire length of each support. The diameter of the bore is largeenough to permit the end portions of horizontal member 15 to slidesnugly therein. While the bore is shown in the drawings to be positionedsymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe supportmember, these bores may also be nonsymmetrically, disposed if preferred.

A longitudinal slot 19 extends from one side of each sole plate support16 to the bore 17. The symmetrical plane passing through the slots ispreferably positioned to form a continuation of one of the horizontalradii of bore 17. A portion of the upper part of sole plate support 16is preferably flat, forming a horizontal surface 20. This surface isprovided with threaded holes 21 that extend from surface a shortdistance into sole plate support 16. The lower portion of sole platesupport 16 is also preferably provided with a flat surface 28 parallelto slot 19. A bore 29 having its axis perpendicular to the plane of slot19 is located on surface 28 to permit it to extend from surface 28through the portion of support 16 below slot 19, through slot 19 andinto the upper portion of the sole plate support above the slot for ashort distance. Portion 30 of bore 29 extending aboveslot 19 is threadedand the diameter of portion 31 of bore 29 below slot 19 is made largeenough in diameter to permit free passage of the threads of a set screw32. The portion of bore 29 adjoining the lower flat surface ispreferably counterbored to receive the head of set screw 32. When thesole plate supports are in place on horizontal member 15 they may beclamped securely to it by'simply tightening set screws 32.

A cast engaging sole plate 22 is provided with attaching holes 23corresponding in position to holes 21 in sole plate support 16, topermit sole plates to be securely attached to the sole plate supports,preferably by means of flat headed screws 24. While the sole plates inFig. l are shown as essentially triangular and provided with projections25 extending from the perimeter of the triangular portion, the soleplates may be of any other desired shape or size, may employ any desirednumber of projections, may have the projections projecting in theopposite direction, may eliminate the projections entirely, or may beprovided with holes if preferred. Sole plates 22 may also be secured tothe supports by any other means such as soldering, welding, brazing,etc.

Platform member 11, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with alongitudinal bore 35 extending its entire length. The diameter of bore35 is sufficient to permit substantially horizontally disposed member 15to slide snugly therein. The overall length of platform 11, parallel tothe axis of bore 35, is shorter than the distance between the inneredges of sole plate supports 16 when these are mounted on horizontallydisposed member 15. This permits various longitudinal positions of theplatform on horizontal member 15 as may be required.

The upper central portion 36 of platform member 11, above the horizontaldiameter of bore 35, is preferably cut away as shown in Figs. 1 and 5,giving the platform member a roughly U-shaped longitudinalcross sectionwith portions 37 extending'vertically on either side of the cut outportion. Horizontally disposed slots 38 extend lengthwise in from oneside of each vertical portion 37,, parallel to the axis of bore 35, andcontinue until they intersect bore 35. The symmetrical horizontal planepassing through these slots lies preferably'on the continuation of oneof the horizontal radii of bore 35.

A bore having its axis perpendicular to the lower surface 40 of thisplatform 11 and positioned on the lower surface of the platform beloweach slot 38, extends from surface 40, through slot 38 and into theupper portion of upright member 37 a suflicient distance. That portionof bore 39 above each slot 38, is threaded, while the diameter of thatportion of bore 39 below slot 38, is sufficiently large to permitpassage of the threads of a set screw 41 that engage the threads aboveslot '38. The lower portion of bore 39 adjoining surface 40 iscounterbored to house the enlarged head of set screw 41. When theplatform member is mounted on horizontally disposed member 15 and theset screws are I tightened, the platform is securely clamped to thehorizontal member. Also, if the horizontal member is round such as therod shown in the drawings, the radial position of the sole platesupports can be varied independently or simultaneously with respect tothe platform as desired.

A ground contacting base 12 is transversely secured to the lower surface40 of platform 11, preferably in the center thereof, by suitable meanssuch as bolts 43. Ground contacting base 12 may also be an integral partof platform 11, or may be secured to it by welding, brazing, etc. Thebase 12 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a substantiallyrectengular member 44, preferably considerably longer than it is Wide,to which there is fastened by a suitable means a semi-resilient,non-slip contact foot portion 45, made of rubber or similar material.The resilient foot may be attached to member 44 by bonding it to themember or by bolting it to member 44 with screws 46, inserted throughholes 47 in resilient member 45. The lower portion of bores 47 arepreferably counterbored to permit the heads of screws 46 from coming incontact with the ground. If desired a shim or shims 48 may be used toadjust the height of the base of the platform above the ground. It is tobe understood that the base may also be any other desired shape or size,for example, elliptical, circular,

etc.

An alternative design for a walking iron according to my invention isillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This embodiment employs a ground engagingbase portion 12 that is similar in construction to the one shown inFigs. 1 and 2 without shims 48.

The platform member used in this alternative embodiment comprises alower portion 50 having a semicircular groove 51 extending its entirelength, preferably in the middle of the member. Holes 52 are provided atsuit able positions, preferably at the corners of base 50. These holes52 are perpendicular to the lower surface of the base 50. Base 54 isprovided with a corresponding upper portion or cap 53 that is preferablycoextensive with it and has a semicircular groove 54 extending itsentire length and is positioned to correspond with groove 51. Grooves 51and 54 are slightly less than semicircular in depth to permit grippingof the horizontal mernber. Cap 53 is provided with threaded holes 55having their axes corresponding to the axes of holes 52; these holesbeing slightly smaller in diameter than holes 52. Cap 53 is secured tothe lower portion 50 by a plurality of screws 57. The lower portions ofholes 52 are preferably counterbored to receive the heads of set screws57. When horizontal member 15 is laid in groove 51 and the correspondinggroove 54 in cap 53 is placed over bar 15 and secured to the lowerportion by screws 57, the substantially horizontal cast engagingassembly will be rigidly clamped to the platform.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, sole plate supports aredispensed with and sole plates 58 are preferably permanently secured tobar 15, which in this embodiment is also a round rod, by welding soleplates 58 to the bar 15; these may be positioned at or near the ends ofthe bar as desired. Sole plates 58 may be of any required shape, mayhave notches cut into the sides thereof, may have cut out portions orthey may be provided with openings. The plates shown in Figs. 3 and 4are the preferred form and are rectangular, being longer than the arewide. The sole plates also have a slightly concave curve and aredepressed slightly in the middle portion to permit the lower side of thedepressed portion to contact the surface of rod 15 before the lower edgeof the concave curve. It is understood that any other desiredconfiguration for the sole plate may be used.

In some cases the patient will be more at case if the sole platesattached to the horizontal member can be placed under the heel and ballof the foot. Figs. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the inventionwhich is particularly suitable for this purpose as well as for theordinary uses to which a foot iron is put. In this construction ahorizontal bar 60, also preferably circular in cross section is securedto a combined platform and ground contacting base 61. Bar 60 ispreferably integral to the base 61 which extends transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the horizontal bar and extends on either sidethereof at a position preferably near the center of bar 60. A resilientfoot portion 62, preferably of rubber, is secured to the bottom of base61 by any desired method such as bolting, riveting, inserting the rubberfoot in a retaining groove in base 61, etc. Base 61 extends a sufficientdistance below bar 69 to support it the required distance above theground.

A sole plate 63, preferably longer than wide, is secured to a sleeve 64provided with a bore to permit horizontal bar 69 to slide snuglytherein, the sole plate may also be an integral part of the sleeve andmay have any other desired shape. The rectangular sole plates in Figs.7, 8 and 9 are provided with openings 65. The sole plates are positionedpreferably transversely at any desider position along sleeve 64; thepreferred position being near the end of the sleeve. Sleeve 64 isprovided with a threaded boss 66 whose axis is normal to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve. A sole plate and sleeve is slipped oneach end of bar 60 and when properly located is locked to it bytightening screw 67 threaded in boss 66. The distance between the soleplates can be adjusted to fit the foot of the patient regardless of itslength, and the fulcrum position of the ground contact can be adjustedafter the cast has hardened.

The various embodiments are employed as follows: The sole plates areplaced on bar 15 at the proper positions so as to make fiat contact withthe sole of the cast. The longitudinal axis of the horizontal member isgenerally placed directly below the centerline of the foot. The soleplates are taped to the cast by means of water soaked strips of plasterof Paris tape, or other binding tape suited for the purpose, until thesole plates are securely bound to the cast and cannot shift theirposition. The tape binding is permitted to dry and when the entire casthas hardened, the position of the ground engaging rubber foot 45, or 62in Fig. 7, is adjusted by positioning ground engaging base 12 or thecombined platform and ground engaging base 61 between the mounted soleplates until the patient can comfortably support his weight. Theposition of the fulcrum is fixed by tightening the set screws of theplatform in Figs. 1 and 4, and those of sleeves 64 in Fig. 7. The footirons shown in Figs. 1 and 7 permit independent radial positioning ofthe sole plate on horizontal bar 15 or 60 respectively. The angularrelation of the ground engaging base to the sole of the cast isestablished by the patients normal walking position and can be adjustedwhile the patient is standing on the walking iron after the fulcrum hasbeen properly located. When all screws have been tightened the positionof the various elements of the foot iron will remain fixed until it isnecessary to make further adjustments.

In some instances it may be desirable to bolt the sole plates tosuitable inserts installed in the sole of the cast proper. In such acase the sole plates would be provided with suitable mounting holesadapted to receive large headed screws to engage the threads of thecorresponding insert. Such an arrangement would eliminate the necessityof binding or taping the sole plates of the foot iron to the castdirectly, however such inserts would have to be embedded in the soleportion of the cast at the time it is formed around the injured member.

The advantage of the various devices described herein over walking ironsheretofore available lies in the fact that the walking iron can be tapedat approximately the centerline and the position of the fulcrum can beshifted as often as necessary even though the bindings are hardenedwithout injuring or disturbing any portion of the cast. This featuresaves the physician considerable time since the cast can be correctlysupported after it has hardened and while the patient is standing on thefoot iron, and it is not necessary to break the cast and reposition thefoot iron as has been heretofore necessary when the bight of the footiron was not in the proper place.

Another advantage is that the foot iron can be adjusted to the exactbalance point whereas heretofore it was purely a hit or miss operation.The position of the foot iron balance can be changed as often asrequired should this become desirable at any stage of the healingprocess.

A feature of considerable importance is that the patient may alter oradjust the position of the balance point without requiring the servicesof the physician, until he locates the point at which the walking ironproduces the least discomfort when his weight bears on the injuredmember. This avoids the necessity of visiting the doctor each time aminor adjustment is required.

1 claim:

1. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot cast, along the longitudinal axis thereof comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member, said horizontally disposedmember being circular in transverse cross-section; a platform secured tosaid substantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engagingportion secured to said platform, said platform and ground engagingportion being adapted to support the substantially horizontally disposedmember above the ground; and a sole plate secured to said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member on each side of said platform said soleplates being adapted to be attached to the sole of said foot cast, theposition of said platform and ground engaging portion being adjustablebetween said sole plates.

2. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot cast, along the longitudinal axis thereof comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member, said horizontally disposedmember being circu lar in transverse cross-section; a platform securedto said substantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engagingmember secured to said platform, said ground engaging member beingpositioned transversely to and extending on each side of thelongitudinal axis of the horizontally disposed member, said groundengaging portion and platform being adapted to support the horizontallydisposed member above the ground; and a sole plate secured to saidhorizontally disposed member on each side of the platform, said soleplates being adapted to be secured to the sole of the foot cast, theposition of said platform and ground engaging portion being adjustablebetween said sole plates.

3. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot east along the longitudinal axis thereof comprising: asubstantially horizon-tally disposed member, said horizontally disposedmember being circular in transverse cross-section; a platform secured tosaid substantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engagingportion secured to said platform, both said ground engaging portion andsaid platform being adapted to support the substantially horizontallydisposed member above the ground; a sole plate slidably mounted on saidsubstantially horizontally disposed member on each side of said platformand capable of axial movement thereon, each of said sole plates beingprovided with means for securing the sole plate at positions along thesubstantially horizontally disposed member said sole plates beingadapted to be secured to the sole of a foot cast.

4. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member below the underside of saidfoot cast; sole plates secured to said substantially horizontallydisposed member adjacent the ends thereof said sole plates being adaptedto'be secured to the sole of a foot cast; a platform slidably mounted onsaid substantially horizontally disposed member and capable of axialmovement thereon, said platform provided with means for securing saidplatform at positions on said substantially horizontally disposed memberbetween said sole plates; and a ground engaging base secured to saidplatform, said ground engaging base adapted to support the platform,substanti-ally horizontally disposed member and sole plates above theground.

5. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot cast according to claim 4 wherein said ground engaging base isprovided with a semiresilient foot portion that contacts the ground.

6. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising; asubstantially horizontally disposed member below the underside of saidfoot cast; sole plates secured to said substantially horizontallydisposed member adjacent the ends thereof said sole plates being adaptedto be secured to the sole of a foot cast; a platform slidably mounted onsaid substantially horizontally disposed member and capable of axialmovement thereon, said platform provided with means for securing saidplatform at positions on said substantially horizontally disposed memberbetween said sole plates; and a ground engaging base secured to saidplatform substantially at the center thereof and extending transverselyon either side of the longitudinal axis of said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member when said platform is mounted thereon,whereby said platform, substantially horizontally disposed member, andsole plates are kept out of contact with the ground when said walkingiron is in use.

7. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot cast according to claim 6, wherein the surface of said sole plates,that come in contact with the lower surface of said foot cast, is abovethe platform member when said sole plates are secured to saidsubstantially horizontally disposed member and said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member and platform are assembled.

8. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot east along the longitudinal 'axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member below the underside of saidfoot cast, said substantially horizontally disposed member beingcircular in cross section; sole plates secured to said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member adjacent the ends thereof said sole platesbeing adapted to be secured to the sole of a foot cast; a platformslidably mounted on said substantially horizontally disposed member andcapable of axial and radial movement thereon, said platform providedwith means for securing said platform to said substantially horizontallydisposed member at positions between said sole plates and at therequired radial position with respect thereto; and a ground engagingbase secured to said platform, whereby said substantially horizontallydisposed member, sole plates and platform are kept out of contact withthe ground when said walking iron is in use.

9. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside of afoot cast according toclaim 8,

wherein said platform comprises a lower member and a cap member, saidlower member and cap member provided with corresponding longitudinallyextending, substantially semicircular grooves corresponding to the out-.

line of said substantially horizontally disposed member and are providedwith means for clamping said lower and cap members to said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member.

10. An improved walking iron according to claim 8; wherein the surfaceof said sole plates that comes in contact with the lower surface of saidfoot cast is above said platform member when said sole plates aresecured to said substantially horizontally disposed member 'and 8 saidsubstantially horizontally disposed member and platform are assembled.

11. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member below the underside of saidfoot cast; sole plate supporting means mounted on said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member adjacent the ends thereof, said sole platesupporting means being provided with clamping means to secure said soleplates supporting means to the substantially horizontally disposedmember; sole plates secured to said sole plate supporting means saidsole plates being adapted to be secured to the sole of a foot cast; aplatform slidably mounted on said substantially horizontally disposedmember and capable of axial movement thereon, said platform beingprovided with clamping means adapted to secure said platform to saidsubstantially horizontally disposed member at positions between saidsole plate supporting means; and a ground engaging base secured to saidplatform whereby said platform, substantially horizontally disposedmember, sole plates and sole plate supporting means are kept out ofcontact with the ground when said walking iron is in use.

12. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising; asubstantially horizontally disposed member below the underside of saidcast, said substantially horizontally disposed member being circular incross section; sole plate supporting means mounted on said substantiallyhorizontally disposed member adjacent the ends thereof, said sole platesupporting means being provided with clamping means to secure said soleplate supporting means to said substantially horizontally disposedmember; sole plates secured to said sole plate supporting means saidsole plates being adapted to be secured to the sole of a foot cast; aplatform slidably mounted on said substantially horizontally disposedmember, said platform capable of axial and radial movement thereon andprovided with clamping means to secure said platform to saidsubstantially horizontally disposed member at positions between saidsole plate supporting means; and a ground engaging base secured to saidplatform, whereby said platform, substantially horizontally disposedmember, sole plates and sole plate supporting means are supported abovethe ground when said walking iron is in use.

13. An improved walking iron according to claim 12, in which said groundengaging base is secured to said platform substantially at the centerthereof and extends transversely on each side of the longitudinal axisof the horizontally disposed member when said platform is mountedthereon.

14. An improved walking iron according to claim 12, wherein said soleplate supporting means are capable of independent radial adjustment onthe substantially horizontally disposed member, thereby enabling thesole plates .to contact the sole of said foot cast.

15. An improved Walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east, along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member, said horizontally disposedmember being circular in transverse cross-section; a platform secured tosaid substantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engagingportion secured to said platform, said ground engaging portion and saidplatform being adapted to support the substantially horizontallydisposed member above the ground; a sole plate supporting means adaptedto be slidably mounted on the substantially horizontally disposed memberon each side of said platform and capable of axial movement thereon,each sole plate supporting means being provided with means for securingsaid sole plate supporting means at positions along the substantiallyhorizontally disposed member; and a sole plate secured to said soleplate supporting means, said sole plate adapted to be secured to thesole of said foot cast.

16. An improved walking iron according to claim 15, wherein the solesupporting means are in the form of a sleeve adapted to slidelongitudinally on the horizontally disposed member.

17. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot cast, along the longitudinal axis thereof comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member, said longitudinally disposedmember being substantially circular in transverse cross-section; aground engaging platform member secured to said horizontally disposedmember, said ground engaging platform member being adapted to supportthe substantially horizontally disposed member above the ground; and asole plate secured to said substantially horizontally disposed member oneach side of said platform member, said sole plates being adapted to beattached to the sole of a plaster foot cast, the position of theplatform member being adjustable between said sole plates.

18. An improved Walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engaging platformmember secured to the horizontally disposed member, said platform memberbeing adapted to support the horizontally disposed member above theground; a sole plate, adapted to be secured to the sole of a foot cast,slidably mounted on the horizontally disposed member on each side of theground engaging platform member, each sole plate being capable of axialmovement on said horizontally disposed member and turnable about thelongitudinal axis thereof, said sole plates being provided with meansfor securing each sole plate to the horizontally disposed member when inposition.

19; An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east along the longitudinal axis thereof, comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engaging platformmember secured to the horizontally disposed member, said ground engagingplatform member being positioned transversely to and extending on eachSide of the longitudinal axis of the horizontally disposed member, theplatform member being adapted to support the horizontally disposedmember above the ground; a sole plate adapted to be secured to the soleof a foot cast and slidably mounted on the horizontally disposed memberon each side of the ground engaging platform member, each sole platebeing capable of axial movement on said horizontally disposed member andturnable about the longitudinal axis thereof, said sole plates beingprovided with means for securing each sole plate independently to thehorizontally disposed member when in position.

20. An improved walking iron adapted to be attached to the underside ofa foot east along the longitudinal axis thereof comprising: asubstantially horizontally disposed member; a ground engaging platformmember secured to said horizontally disposed member, said groundengaging platform member being adapted to support the substantiallyhorizontally disposed member above the ground; a pair of sole plates,one of said sole plates being secured to said horizontally disposedmember on one side of the ground engaging platform member and the othersole plate being secured to the horizontally disposed member on theother side of the ground engaging platform member, both of said soleplates being adapted to be attached to the sole of a plaster foot cast,the position of the platform member being adjustable between said soleplates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,762,367 Rubin Sept. 11, 1956

